16 April 2025
The first egg was seen at 1752!
Thank you to Geemeff and the Woodland Trust.
First egg for Louis and Dorcha!
Author Archives: maryannsteggles
I went to the UK as a Commonwealth Scholar in 1990 and received my PhD from the University of Leicester in 1993. After three decades of university teaching, I retired to devote my time to the study of raptor behaviour. I am particularly interested in Ospreys and am working on a long term project on third hatch survival and siblicide in these raptors. My blog is a result of a fascination with my local wildlife and the desire to encourage others to love and care for birds! I live on the Canadian Prairies and prior to the pandemic travelled a lot. I am questioning the use of aviation fuel at the moment as we all strive to help our planet. My early research was in politics and art including British public statues exported to Southeast Asia and Vietnam Resistors that contributed much to Canadian ceramics. Books and articles were published on those subjects over a period of 3 decades. Now I am working on books for children so they can learn about the challenges our raptors face.
Wednesday in Bird World
16 April 2025
Good Morning Everyone,
Latest Updates:
Poole Harbour: CJ7 has laid her second egg.
Glaslyn: Aran spent the night with Elen on the perch. They mated twice. Cross your fingers the drama is over and Teifi will find himself a lovely mate elsewhere!
Llyn Brenig: Egg number 1 laid at 23:13:48 15/04/2025, well done 372.
Kielder Nest 7: KX7 laid her second egg at about 15.45 Tuesday.
Tweed Valley Nest 2: “A rather bizarre set up has emerged in the absence of FK0. At the nest there is Mrs O, another BTO ringed female and a BTO ringed male. None of these three birds have the coloured alpha numeric darvics, so we know nothing of their background. The male appears inexperienced and is perhaps young. The two females are surprisingly tolerant of each other. The only aggression witnessed so far has been on arrival of fish delivery from the male as the two females both try to grab it. Mrs O usually wins the fish and flies off to feed but has been seen to return with a portion remaining and letting the other female have it. If FK0 eventually turns up things could get very complicated. The male bird and Mrs O have started mating and maybe if she lays an egg, the couple may settle.”
Thank you to Geemeff for reminding me that I hadn’t sent out Tuesday’s blog—it was Tuesday, but not the 14th! Grrrrr. Tuesdays are always hectic for me because Anne arrives, and before that, the animals seem to demand a lot of attention. Sometimes, I feel like I need two of myself!
There is hardly any news. Ospreys are, for the most part, home. Charlie is not at Charlo Montana. They believe he is MIA. The Memorial List is getting longer. Aran is still trying to keep his nest. He was there after 1700 at Glaslyn, but did not bring Elen a fish. Teifi has been doing that. Finnegan is not home. My question: Could Charlie and Finnegan winter in the same location and both are late? Is Finnegan late? Gosh, it feels late. Llyn Brenig is still not settled.
Iris waits.
‘J’ wants to know where the first confirmed news of Finnegan’s return will be posted. Dr Greene posts on Montana Osprey Cam’s FB page. I know that my inbox will light up if that white-breasted, long-legged male gets on that nest, and you will also know this by his behaviour towards Iris. (Don’t even get me started on Louis!)
This year, Heidi is monitoring a whack of many US Osprey nests, and I am focusing on the UK and Europe along with Iris. We will be bringing you more news once we have hatchlings.
So I am thankful for Blue 33 and Maya, CJ7 and Blue 022, Dylan and Seren, Idris and Telyn, and Louis and Dorcha who are giving us some stability in the UK nests.
Geemeff sends us the daily summary from The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 15th April 2025
An interesting day on Nest One where Garry LV0 brought bedding but no fish, then saw a perceived threat in the distance, flew off the nest in a hurry, and a long aerial battle ensued with both birds flying back and forth across the cam view. The fight was too distant to make out who Garry was seeing off his territory, but there was no doubt about the invader later on – a Buzzard, different to previous visiting Buzzards, looked to be on a nest scouting expedition, but it’s highly unlikely Garry would tolerate further intrusion. Louis and Dorcha continued their usual routine of mating and nest prepping, with two fish handovers today taking
Louis’ tally to thirty three, but no sign of the much anticipated first egg yet, and as of the time of filing this report (23.15) the nest is empty. It rained on and off today, the forecast is for a dry night tonight but more rain tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.31.46 (05.17.42); Nest Two 21.45.22 (05.29.22)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/A_RZD0tcTvQ N2 Louis arrives with a lively flapping trout 06.07.41
https://youtu.be/AyFmftRron8 N1 A Jay visits but leaves quickly, alarm calling 08.15.13
https://youtu.be/Ca_z21qf71I N1 Garry LV0 leaves in a hurry, an aerial fight ensues 09.06.12
https://youtu.be/6I2Eivd3aaM N2 Dorcha seizes fish number two as soon as it arrives 14.10.08
N1 is this a female Buzzard scouting for a nest? 20.32.43
Bonus action – WT wants your help with the
longest written biological record of its kind
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/things-to-do/natures-calendarBlast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/51sv0sFASJA N1 Aila & Louis: love in the dark 2020
https://youtu.be/Ne6U24RQtfk N1 Louis is harassed by persistent Hoodies 2021
https://youtu.be/LbhbAx0KBh4 N2 Stickly situation: Louis and a log 2022
https://youtu.be/7w0I3iYZssc N2 Synchronised landings 2023 (slo-mo repeat)https://youtu.be/glFpcNXi9Oo N2 Dorcha and the egg star on BBC Breakfast 2024
https://youtu.be/cuIKVzgrQMY N1: Garry LV0 does some nest scraping and watches for a potential mate 2024
https://youtu.be/GVX93Gmg5KI George WTS’s interview on BBC Radio Scotland today 2024
https://youtu.be/43baqO1yOss N2 Louis gets to egg-sit when he delivers fish number two 2024Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Captiva Bald Eagle Nest: Both Dasher and Dancer were at the nest on Tuesday.
FOBBV: The antics of the kiddos, Sunny and Gizmo. So cute. https://youtu.be/HL1uVWzjdCQ?
NCTC: Scout has brought in at least three fish for the triplets! Just look at those crops.
Chichester Peregrine Falcon News:
Fraser Point Eaglet Named:
Durbe County White-tail Eagle Cam: Milda and Zorro have the cutest baby!
City of Independence Osprey Platform: Believe it or not a couple of ospreys checked out this nest on Tuesday!
FOBBV: Shadow brought in 11 fish. These two will be too large to fly. LOL. I bet that is what Shadow is hoping. Keep Sunny and Gizmo home for a long, long time. Little miracles. https://youtu.be/LddQtD0iZ0Q?s
At the Finnish Osprey Nests:
Nest 1 Satakunnan: Beautiful ospreys Eve and Eura return.
Janakkala: Resident female Yellow XKT, Cara, has been chasing a female intruder over the nest. Mate, AKE, is also home!
The ospreys are beginning to arrive in Nova Scotia. Quite a few nests are now occupied. Bravo! Always nice to see them home safely.
Good night, Iris. We are all hoping that your Finn will arrive tomorrow. You deserve the best and we will know when it is really him because you will stop looking to the sky and wishing with us! You will be eating a big fish! And it won’t have been caught by you.
Thank you for being with us. Take care all. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB’, Montana Osprey Project, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig, Window to Wildlife, NCTC Bald Eagle nest, Chichester Peregrines, IWS, Looduskalender Forum, Satakunnan Nest 1 Finland, City of Independence Ospreys, Ospreys of Nova Scotia, SK Hideaways, Janakkala Osprey platform, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, SK Hideaways, BoPH, Kielder Forest
Tuesday in Bird World
15 April 2025
Good Morning Everyone,
I am growling. Can you hear me? I have lots of images in today’s blog, but Heidi tells me that they continue to be scrambled, sometimes being replaced with old images or the images are so cropped you cannot see them. When I look at my screen, everything is as it should be. I apologise. This is WordPress and I guess it is time to have another long chat or get a divorce with them!
After being outside on Sunday and proclaiming spring had arrived, we woke up to snow Monday morning. It is falling down fast (but will not accumulate, thankfully). Silly me. I jinxed it!
Despite this, the Dark-eyed Juncos showed up by the dozens to search for the new White Millet that had been scattered.
Today it is sunny and warm!
The latest from Glaslyn before we begin: “We have not seen Aran since 11:20 yesterday, but he was possibly one of three Ospreys we saw chasing one another over the valley yesterday afternoon. It was KC6/Teifi that returned to the nest yesterday evening and shared a Flounder with Elen. We do not currently know where Aran is.
This morning Teifi delivered a Flounder to Elen, but since then he has been in aerial combat with Blue 685 (Tweed Valley 2021) and the two males are chasing one another around the valley. We can only watch as the drama unfolds.”
On Monday, the Decorah N1 Geese ushered their six goslings to the leap of faith. Five made it. Sadly, one did not. ‘J’ says turn up the sound! Here is a video of that amazing event! https://youtu.be/rpwrXIqmTcw?
The Raptor Resource Project explains this incredible feat.
As I do the spring cleaning in the conservatory, I have Iris on the screen. She has been working on her nest and the horizon. I worried about Iris returning; I briefly considered the possibility that Finn might not return, but I couldn’t think about that. Migration is fraught with dangers. However, my primary concern is that our Queen awaits her Finnegan’s return. Send positive wishes, let’s get him home.
This is the way we want to see it. Bart M caught the mood on Manton Bay perfectly!
Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have their third egg.
Black Storks are arriving at their nests!
‘TU’ sends news: “9:48 AM Estonian black stork female KERLI arrived to KERGU who was already in the nest waiting )) 14.04.2025 They also posted photo of the male visitor in Karl’s nest in Karula And in Latvia black stork chose an empty nest and we could see him sleeping at nights – then the real owner lesser spotted eagle Anna appeared and they met today! What a Monday! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzo0fsqZuaI
It isn’t just the Loch of the Lowes that is confused, BHA brings us up to speed on the Port of Ridgefield Osprey nest: “No eggs on Ridgefield nest yet and today the activity has been confusing with three Osprey coming and going. (Similar to some of your own Osprey reports!) Not sure who was who but I think it was the female and a strange male on the nest, then a third Osprey flew in with fish and the female mantled and ate a little. She then took off with the fish leaving the two males. From there it got confusing as it appeared there was another fish on the other side of the nest which one started eating. (Maybe the 3rd Osprey was a female?) But then they started fighting and both went over the side of the nest. A few minutes later one returned and it appeared to be the interloper. It stayed awhile, then left. Nest is empty now. Guess it’s a good thing there are no eggs! (I left comments in chat, hoping one of the other 5 viewers might have some input, but no other comments yet.)
Geemeff sends us her daily summary for The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 14th April 2025
A very wet day today, no intruders or visitors, and only two fish deliveries. Garry LV0 paid a long visit to Nest One, bringing moss instead of fish, and doing a fair bit of nest work before perching on the centre perch and looking around before departing. Over on Nest Two, Louis brought two fish today, taking his tally to thirty one, but the first fish only arrived well after 2pm, and when he delivered the second shortly after 4pm, Dorcha wasn’t there so Louis tucked into it himself. When she arrived back a little later, Louis picked up the remains of the fish and flew off with it. However as both he and Dorcha have nicely rounded full crops, neither one is going hungry. The weather forecast calls for more rain overnight and into tomorrow, but there is a prospect of a break from the rain in the afternoon. As of the time of filing this report (23.30) the nest is empty so it’s unlikely the first egg will arrive overnight.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.19.53 (05.31.04); Nest Two 21.12.25 (05.41.25)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/LTAYF-7tmqQ N1 Garry LV0 brings moss and stays a while
https://youtu.be/lL_QYANa9C4 N2 Finally! A fish arrives for Dorcha 14.39.28
https://youtu.be/rvg7SdHjZZg N2 Louis brings a second fish but Dorcha’s not there 16.08.11
Bonus guide to delayed incubation – what to expect when the first egg arrives:
https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/emyr-mwt/delayed-incubation-ospreys
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/UU44l6A5Vy4 N1 Touchdown – but who? 2020 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/09e-9iR9Uvg N1 Lonesome again – Louis waits in vain 2021
https://youtu.be/No4cPpPY9eM N1 Cheeky Crow wants Louis’ fish 2021
https://youtu.be/ZHbPfslJSb4 N2 Dorcha finally gets Louis’ fish 2022
https://youtu.be/epotlXiS6_w N2 Dorcha wants dinner, Louis wants Dorcha 2022
https://youtu.be/GwydfsZfM1s N2 Louis looking magnificent 2023
https://youtu.be/0rLUKr-CEmE Nest One sunset 2023 (quick-time)
https://youtu.be/HIEpIrsKACA Nest Two sunset 2023 (quick-time)
https://youtu.be/PMBJ6rBYv6o N1 Garry LV0 visits the nest then perches on Pole Tree 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/GR5uY71Ebvc N2 FIRST EGG! 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/-GKcJeJWPlQ N2 Louis sees the egg for the first time 2024
https://youtu.be/3xzJPU206Rg N2 Louis has his first incubation session 2024
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Heidi’s Osprey Report:
Brevard, Florida: There were three fish deliveries on Monday: 15.30 Mom arrived with small fish, 5 min feeding, nothing for youngest; 15.57 Dad arrived with large partial, good meal for both chicks. Another large partial from Dad at 1820, both ate well. So, they ended up pretty well-fed today.
NCTC: Scout flew into the nest with blood all down the side of his neck on Monday. Was it a territorial battle? Or prey? All the kids were full to the brim and more. ‘J’ says they look like they ate ‘golfballs’! I agree.
Rita the Eagle: ‘J’ sends us Rita’s posting for Rita’s History Monday:
Captiva Eagle Nest: Both fledglings continue to visit the nest on occasion.
Big Bear: Fishing line appears to be on the nest again! Thanks, naturechat.org and ‘J’
‘J’ says she hates fishing line. Join the club! One of the most significant issues is even if humans clean up after themselves, which they don’t, lines can get broken and stay in a fish, get broken and hang around tree branches in lakes and get picked up. Oh, if we could dissolve the fishing line after so many minutes of exposure to water. I know, I know…It was seen at 0820. Jackie and Shadow are aware of it and hopefully they will be able to deal with it. (Yes, it is a human-made issue. Intervention in this situation and with Sunny and Gizmo this age could be highly dangerous for them even if someone could do it!)
Games keeper charged in the Yorkshire Dales for Hen Harrier killing.
Gamekeeper from a Yorkshire Dales grouse moor charged in relation to alleged shooting of hen harrierDownload
Cornell Owl Cam: Athena and her owlets. https://youtu.be/URYbidkMpAc?
NEFlorida: Bodie tucked into a nice big fish that Gabby delivered.
Hummingbird Migration Map:
Norwich Cathedral: Four eggs for the falcons!
Wells Fargo, West Des Moines, Iowa: First Osprey egg of the season on Monday!
Glaslyn: We do not know what will happen at Glaslyn. Aran hid Teifi’s egg under the nesting material, and he was not seen at the nest on Monday. Will Elen have more eggs? Will Teifi become her bonded partner beginning this year? Will Aran prevail? We wait.
‘PB’ sent a great image of the little third hatch at Duke Farms. It made it. We often wondered and look at how sweet it is.
Fraser Point Announcement:
Steelscape Osprey Platform: First egg of the season.
Latvian White-Tail Eagle nest at Durbe: Milda’s first egg has hatched!
Tonight, I am deeply troubled and appalled by the actions of some individuals in my province who should know better. The thought of shooting crows and magpies for fun is both outrageous and disturbing! In 2025, it’s unimaginable that some people remain unaware of the intelligence and emotional depth of non-human animals. We must urgently advocate for protections for all species to prevent the senseless mass killings that are happening. Our moral responsibility is to stand up for those who cannot defend themselves.
And if that is not enough, we litter our home with all our garbage and it can kill them. Think fishing line at Big Bear today or all those osprey nests littered with human junk.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘BHA, EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB, TU’, Raptor Resource Project, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Bart Molenaar, LDF, Eagle Club of Estonia, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Brevard Florida Ospreys, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Rita the Eagle FB, Window to Wildlife, FOBBV, Raptor Persecution UK, Cornell Bird Lab Owl Cam, Ryan Vaughn, Norwich Cathedral, Iown DNR, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Duke Farms, Steelscape, PETA, LDF, Dyfi Osprey Project
Monday in Bird World
14 April 2025
Good Morning Everyone,
It was a bit nippy on Sunday, but spring is definitely here. It was time to shake off the winter and get back to walking 4 or 5 times a week. Our first trip was around St Vital Park and then over to the duck pond. There were approximately 85 Canada Geese there along with 5 male Wood Ducks and 2 females, and a couple pair of Mallards along with 3 Ring-billed Gulls. There is still some ice on the pond. It was nice to see families with proper seed feeding them as we wait for the grass to turn green and grow.
You have no idea how happy I am that the walkways are free of ice. This winter has been long because of this. I so enjoyed all the walking that we have done in previous years. Oh, this is wonderful!
Moving on to our feathered friends…
Eggs are starting to land in those osprey nests! Eaglets are growing or fledging or halfway there.
Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 laid the season’s first egg for her and mate, Blue 022, on Sunday.
Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home: There are now three eggs in this osprey nest.
Glaslyn: Ospreys can count and they ‘know’. Aran arrived on Saturday and Elen laid her first egg on Sunday the 13th. It would have been KC1’s, Teifi’s. Aran tried to evict it and then when that did not work, he buried it. Aran might have trouble holding on to the nest he shared with Mrs G and then Elen when Mrs G did not return from migration. We wait to see how this works out.
So why did Aran (and other males at different nests at different times) try to eject and then bury the egg?
Male ospreys eject eggs from their nest if they suspect they didn’t fertilise the eggs. We quickly learn that ospreys can count! This behaviour is a strategy to ensure their offspring survive, as they may eject eggs from the nest that they don’t believe to be their own. Ospreys are generally monogamous and mate for life, but if a male suspects infidelity, he may eject eggs to remove potential competitors.
- Ensuring their own genetic line: Male ospreys are motivated to ensure their offspring survive. They may eject eggs if they believe they are not their own, as they are essentially removing potential competitors.
- Guardianship of the nest: Ospreys fiercely protect their nests and mates. If another male is suspected of mating with the female, the male may eject eggs to ensure his own paternity.
- Courtship and Mating: Male ospreys engage in frequent courtship displays and mating behaviours, which can increase the likelihood of fertilisation by their partner. If they witness a female with another male, they may attempt to eject the eggs to ensure their genetic line is the only one present.
- Territoriality:Male ospreys are territorial and will defend their nest and mate from other males. This can extend to ejecting eggs if they suspect other males have been involved in mating with the female.
In summary, the ejection of eggs is a behaviour driven by the male osprey’s instinct to protect his mate and ensure his genetic line continues. It’s a natural defence mechanism against potential rivals and a strategy to maintain the success of his breeding effort.
Film showing a bathing osprey. It is delightful. https://youtu.be/rev2Y0sbFhk?
Oh, what a worry KNF-E3 O3 was to everyone. Steve looked. Cody helped. And on Sunday that fledgling flew up to the nest like a pro wanting fish. Mum and Dad did not disappoint. Isn’t this wonderful? We will count every one of these moments as gold.
Little Miami Conservancy: These two are doing well but cannot yet thermoregulate their temperature.
Foulshaw Moss: White YW and Blue 35 have their second egg on Sunday. at 1308.
Fort St. Vrain: Less drama today at the nest. Both eaglets fine.
Fat little bottom. Cute.
NCTC: The trio of Scott and Bella are doing extraordinarily well. Little angels.
Port Tobacco: All is well.
Johnson City ETSU: I blinked and that little fluffy chick now has juvenile feathers!
Bluff City ETSU: And just look at these two!
Duke Farms: Then there is this trio. All doing well.
US Steel: Only Bob is doing well. Getting his pin feathers.
Sauces: Betty Lou. Look at those feathers coming in!
Fraser Point: Two adorable babies being well cared for by Andor and Cruz.
Big Bear Valley: Is it possible they will be too full to fly? We would love to keep them on the nest.
Geemeff’s Daily Summary for Loch Arkaig. Just look at the number of fish that Louis has brought in. Now he started out, as Geemeff reminded me, like this last year. But bad weather and an illness and/or injury turned the tide on the nest and the two osplets were translocated. One survived. One did not.
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 13th April 2025
Another calm day without intruders, Affric 152 or Prince dropping in. And sadly, no unattached female visitors for Garry LV0 despite his bringing a fish and making Nest One very cosy with sticks and bedding. Garry’s fish tally rises by a whopping 50% up to a total of three since he arrived on 9th April, fingers crossed that this will be the season he finds a mate. Louis on the other hand is providing so well for Dorcha that she initially refused the second of his two fish deliveries today, and his tally now stands at twentynine since they returned on 2nd April. At the time of filing this report (23.45) Nest Two is empty – will Dorcha return and spend the night as she did last night, will she lay the first egg tomorrow? We must wait and see. The weather forecast is light rain and light winds overnight and into tomorrow, not the best weather for eggs but Dorcha will cope.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.31.19 (05.28.03); Nest Two 21.29.45 (05.32.34)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/cJRzg3GKcZw N1 Garry LV0 brings a fish but takes it away seconds later 07.58.17
https://youtu.be/tJxdXWMuArw N2 Louis brings a late breakfast 09.02.07
https://youtu.be/2sWdD3SyZQI N1 Garry LV0 stays a little longer on his second visit 08.56.47
https://youtu.be/8_TK0aK9cus N1 Garry pole-vaults in for a third visit 09.33.50
https://youtu.be/Y2Zr8mmDBxA N2 Dorcha doesn’t want the second fish 20.19.17
Bonus guide to Osprey egg production:
https://kielderospreys.wpcomstaging.com/2013/05/04/copulation-and-laying-eggs-a-bit-of-a-biology-lessonBlast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/S79vEf6sTV0 N2 Louis chases an intruder 2020 (Slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/aw9gnUSlGO0 N1 Late night drama as Louis chases another intruder 2020
https://youtu.be/6yGNxv2KqNQ N2 Misty morning mating 2022 (x-rated!!)
https://youtu.be/P60wseTCepU N1 Louis brings a fish to his old nest 2022
https://youtu.be/NmUONfZzPeI N2 Louis loses a stick and nearly gets lucky 2023
https://youtu.be/9dNWnjbzqEY N2 Dorcha sees off a Hoodie 2023https://youtu.be/NHDU63bbEag N1 Garry LV0 brings another fish 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/G1l5YJriSt8 N1 Garry LV0 startles a little songbird 2024 (slo-mo zoom)
https://youtu.be/9MU4DHe21Ak N2 No egg tonight: both depart 2024
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Loch of the Lowes: News from The Woodland Trust:·
“Over the last 5 days, things appeared to have settled into a fairly relaxed routine for LM24 (The Dark Intruder) and his new mate the Unringed Female. The pair have been spending more time on and around the nest, often appearing at first light, indicating they are likely to be roosting nearby. Mating has been regular, though the male is still sometimes getting himself back to front, but he has also busied himself with bringing material into the nest, skydancing and bringing in fish to his mate – everything you would expect a breeding male to do.
Throughout the week there had been little in the way of intruders, with only a fleeting incursion on the 9th April, which the Unringed Female easily defended against. Not content with LM24’s offerings, she brought in a huge trout yesterday, which unusually she caught on the Loch where it is usually more common to see pike and perch.
This morning it was only LM24 who appeared on the nest at dawn, and it remained quiet for much of the day, with no sign of the Unringed Female. Ospreys can be a little bit like buses, with not much happening and then everything happening all at once! True to form it all kicked off mid-afternoon with the arrival of yet another new intruding bird (another unringed female) who was very ‘hangry’!
This female wasted no time in demanding food from LM24, who although initially reluctant, passed his half eaten pike to her, before trying to attempt to mate. The female, with very striking markings (a large triangle on the back of her head, dark chest and a white gap between her eyes) was not keen to reciprocate, but quickly began rearranging the furniture. This female behaved in a way that was very confident and suggested that she may be a little older and more experienced than both LM24 and his Unringed Female partner.
The ‘hangry’ female (who devoured her fish) very vocally began demanding more food from the male, who was keeping a close and perhaps rather confused eye on the things from the top of the camera. After several more failed mating attempts, he finally managed to encourage the female to lift her tail and mate successfully, before……enter stage left; LM24’s mate, the Unringed Female landed on the nest, flapping her wings and mantling, clearly unhappy with proceedings!! She was closely followed by LM24, who briefly touched down before being chased off by the ‘hangry’ intruder!
All three osprey then took to the skies in a spectacular display of flying, diving and shouting, before the Unringed Female returned to the nest. Her respite was short lived however, with the other female returning to launch another furious attack! Once again the birds took off in a flurry of talons and wings, before order finally seemed to be restored 5 minutes later with both LM24 and his mate the Unringed Female settling back onto the nest together.
Things appear to have settled down and order for now seems to have been restored, but for how long?
Follow the webcam for all the action, or come and visit the centre, open 10:30am – 5pm each day”
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/…/loch-of-the…
Hellgate Canyon: Gorgeous Iris. Still waiting for Finnegan. He was there on the 14th last year. Fingers crossed he arrives today!!!!!!! Oh, tears will flow around the world. Please let this miracle happen again…
Salem Electric: Lots of work to do on this nest. I sure wish that humans in the US would follow some of the UK’s practices where the nest is refurbished each year while the ospreys are on migration!
Clark PUD: Both ospreys are on the nest. Lovely.
Port of Ridgefield: Both home.
Seaside: Bruce has been supplying Naha with some really nice fish since their return. Sunday was no exception with a Redtail Surf Perch and two trout.
Niagara Bee Ospreys: No eggs but a Canada Goose is visiting the nest.
Farmer Derek’s Owl Nest: Bonnie and Clive have one owlet this year, Starr. She is a beauty.
Russell Lake, Nova Scotia: Oscar arrived so early. It seems that he was so happy to have Ethel return that he has been out looking for any kind of gift to brighten her day! OK, Oscar. You can stop now. Those eggs and chicks don’t want to get mixed up with human litter!
Coeur de’Alene, Idaho: No ospreys in sight. Canada Goose nesting on the north platform.
In 2024, with four osplets on the nest and everyone hoping for them, the male disappeared during a heat dome. Mum tried but it is difficult to raise four even if both parents are fishing. Three of the chicks died of siblicide/starvation. One fledged.
Update from Fort St Vrain:
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post: ‘Geemeff’, Birds of Poole Harbour, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, RAKPhotographic, Kistachie National Forest, Little Miami Conservancy, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Fort St Vrain, NCTC, Port Tobacco, Johnson City ETSU, Bluff City ETSU, Pix Cams, Duke Farms, IWS/Explore, FOBBV, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, The Scottish Wildlife Trust, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Salem Electric, Clark PUD, Port of Ridgefield, Seaside Ospreys, Niagara Bee Ospreys, Farmer Derek, Ospreys of Nova Scotia, City of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, The Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Loch of the Lowes Visitor’s Centre, Fort St Vrain/Excel Energy
Sunday in Bird World
13 April 2025
Hello Everyone,
Before we start with our feathered family, ‘The Girls’ think it is high time that they get to say hi to you, too. Hugo Yugo is doing well. We hoped she wouldn’t grow, but she has. She is still the smallest and she can hold her own with all of the others. She is due for more dental surgery in less than two months. She is sweet, energetic, and will always be the first to get into trouble.
The next one to get into mischief will be Missey and it is almost always because of a plant. When she was little (with Lewis), they would want to sleep in the freshly watered soil of the house plants. It was quite odd. Here she is checking out the water in the dish. Is she missing nutrients?
Hope is almost as big as Mamma Calico. I am always amazed. They are inseparable. I have to place their food dishes right next to one another. If I don’t, Hope will not eat. She always waits til Calico is finished and then eats what is left. They nap together, and at night, they wrap themselves around one another. Hope will be two years old on July 1.
They are the joys of my life – a lot of work, but worth every minute of it!
Now, let’s check on what is happening in Bird World.
I want to begin with something uplifting – miracles. Don’t forget them! Bodie! Betty Lou. https://youtu.be/NkRWApbNAVE
What a week! I know that your hearts have been broken just like mine. If your love could sustain them, every baby and adult on every nest would thrive. You have so much empathy for each – and from your notes and comments, I know that these bird families are so close to your hearts – they are family. If your ideas and willingness to help would save them, there would be no danger. I am so proud of each of you. To everyone who has taken photographs of the Achieva Credit Union Osprey nest, made phone calls, and contacted the local Audubon society, thank you. Being local is a big help. Clearwater Audubon installed the platform. It has withstood significant hurricanes better than many. Something has happened in the last couple of years to cause the loss of the chicks and the eggs. A very knowledgable individual needs to examine that nest from the top to the bottom, the environment around the nest, etc to try and determine what is causing this issue. No owl was seen in the footage or other large mammal like a raccoon getting up to the nest. The culprit was either too small to see, went under the nest (scaled the wooden pole and came up through one of the holes), or it is the holes themselves. The platforms MUST have drainage. Heavy rains would kill the babies just like those that killed the white storklets in Europe last year. The drain holes need non-rusting mesh applied to keep anything like an osplet or an egg from falling through them. There is lots to do and it is just the dedicated individuals working locally that might make this happen. You must get people to care and realise there is a problem. Two years in a row – . Sad.
As I write this, the second eaglet at Fort St Vrain has fallen off the rails – it could not have survived a fall from that height. We have lost the 4th and 1st hatches. The other two surviving eaglets are up under the rails. At 1709 nest time, the eaglets were still moving and appeared in food comas after being fed. Yes, the parents feed them, and there is food in the nest. The issue seems to be the heat. It is 28 C or 83 F and hotter in the nest area. Thankfully, it was cloudy today. I hope these two survive.
The eaglet on the top left of the nest is trying to get its talons from the branches. It might succeed.
Individuals below the nest can be heard but are they there to help? Who are these people? Might the adults not return? We wait. ‘PB’ has confirmed that temperatures will drop to 44 F. These two cannot thermoregulate as they are not old enough. It would be essential they both be under Mum to survive.
In terms of the temperature on the nest today, according to the local weather station, this is the hottest it has been in the area since they have been keeping records. That is 153 years! Please send them your best wishes. Temperatures are set to drop with rain on Sunday. These guys will need protection!
Mum is incredible. She fed the one eaglet and the other came out and now both are free. Tears and more tears of joy and relief.
‘PB’ sent me a note – both eaglets tucked under Mum safely!!!!!!!! What a relief for this family.
Wondering about the role of heat and how it is impacting these eaglets – as well as other species caught in these heat domes:
Extreme heat poses a significant threat to baby bald eagles (eaglets) as they lack the ability to thermoregulate effectively, particularly in the early stages of their development. Eaglets rely on their parents for warmth and protection from the sun, rain, and snow. When parents are forced to leave the nest for extended periods due to the heat, eaglets can be vulnerable to hypothermia or heat stress.
Here’s a more detailed look at how heat impacts eaglets:
1. Thermoregulation:
- Eaglets cannot regulate their body temperature effectively until they develop down feathers, typically around 10-14 days of age.
- Before this stage, they are entirely dependent on their parents to keep them warm and protect them from overheating.
- Adult eagles can thermoregulate by panting and heat loss through their legs and feet, but eaglets lack these mechanisms.
2. Parental Dependence:
- Parents play a crucial role in keeping eaglets safe from extreme temperatures.
- They sit on the nestlings to provide warmth and insulation during cold weather and shade during hot weather.
- When parents are forced to leave the nest for extended periods due to heat stress or other factors, eaglets are left vulnerable.
3. Vulnerability to Heat Stress and Hypothermia:
- If eaglets are exposed to direct sunlight for too long, they can overheat.
- If they are left in the cold without parental protection, they can become chilled.
- Both heat stress and hypothermia can be fatal for eaglets.
4. Importance of Nest Protection:
- Parents also protect their young from rain and snow.
- They use their bodies to shield the eaglets from the elements, ensuring they stay dry and protected.
- This protection is especially important during the first few weeks of life when eaglets are still developing their water-resistant feathers.
5. Environmental Factors:
- Climate change is causing more frequent and intense heat waves, which can increase the risk of heat stress for eaglets.
- Warmer springs can also negatively impact nest success, potentially reducing the number of eaglets that survive.
- Changes in precipitation patterns can also affect the availability of food sources and create challenges for eagles raising their young.
Geemeff sends us the daily Loch Arkaig summary for The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 12th April 2025
Another calm day today both weatherwise and at the nests, although the wind did pick up a bit. No intruders disturbed Louis and Dorcha at Nest Two, and no one turned up to visit Garry LV0 on Nest One, perhaps because he didn’t bring any fish. However Louis brought three fish to his nest, two small and one very nice trout, and his tally now stands at twentyseven. The Inver Mallie forecast, which includes the nest area, states light rain and gentle to moderate breezes tonight and tomorrow. Of course, with both nests exposed at the top of very tall trees, moderate breezes can still make the nests sway.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.13.13 (05.18.40); Nest Two 21.07.24 (05.30.05)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/8Dt5eUk016I N2 Fish number one, small half trout 06.37.58 https://youtu.be/k1Udox-wXjA N1 Garry LV0 arrives, does some prep, leaves 10.14.39https://youtu.be/WnBqnbmXPlM N2 Louis snaffles a piece of the small second fish before departing 15.08.41https://youtu.be/Jb_uOUGFJZw N2 Deliverlouis! A very fine trout is delivered 17.46.45Bonus look: PaulineC’s latest watercolour of Louis & Dorcha (thanks Pauline)
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:https://youtu.be/gHON30DPkRg N1 Nesting dance: Louis with pompoms 2021 (Classic Ospreys – Grieg)https://youtu.be/VQDncOOrCAA N2 Lovebirds: early morning mating 2022https://youtu.be/NrNcLnttpdc N1 Splitscreen – is this the same bird? 2022https://youtu.be/x_JJOmUeaF0 N2 Stunning sunset over Nest Two 2022 (time-lapse)https://youtu.be/yyMQbIUN3bI N2 Skydancing in the dark 2023https://youtu.be/UVrPq6MNPc0 N2 Mating on the high perch 2023https://youtu.be/t2R05W5xHZ8 N1 Affric 152 takes a fish from Garry LV0 2024https://youtu.be/ZjIl05N5jjA N1 Louis & Garry LV0 chase each other on and off the nest 2024https://youtu.be/cODGsUlHOns N2 Dorcha dines on the nest 2024
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Kielder Forest Nest 7: First Egg!
Loch Garten: KX6 (Axel) is back on the nest!
Loch of the Lowes: Occupancy is being contested! Geemeff writes: “The complicated fight for Loch of the Lowes’ nest – there are SIX Ospreys in the battle!”
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2025/04/loch-of-the-lowes-osprey-update-8-april-2025/
Kisatchie National Forest: At 9:15:16, KNF E3 fludged. He was up on a high branch, perch 4, flapping and, like many others, just slipped and went. There was some chatter about the eaglet hopping about on the ground. Ranger Steve searched for an hour and could not see eaglet so it is either hiding in the spring foliage or flew off. Parents were heard.
Slipping down in the air between the branches.
Border Ospreys are relieved that Samson is home!
Iris has her nest ready at Hellgate Canyon. Come on Finnegan!
Llyn Clywedog: Dylan and Seran, Blue 5F, have their season’s first egg!
On video: https://youtu.be/lbcC2XDKFBs?
Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have their second egg on Saturday at 1337! Almost three days to the minute after the first. Amazing.
Trempealeau Eagles Live Stream: Great close-up with clear camera. Beautiful eaglet.
Birds of Poole Harbour: Beautiful CJ7.
The Week in Wildlife includes the reuniting of Dorcha and Louis at Loch Arkaig!
Week in wildlife_ ospreys reunited, a monkey thief and a London fox cub _ Environment _ The GuardianDownload
John Bunker Sands Wetlands: The oldest eaglet that fledged first has returned to the nest on Friday! Bravo! https://youtu.be/G_ls92wSBNU?
Just a note: Charlo Montana is still on Highlights.
Geemeff sends us: “A good news story – sort of, it’s a pity people have to clean up after others, but it’s very good that they do! Monofilament is a killer.
https://www.ktvh.com/news/discarded-fishing-line-is-proving-dangerous-to-birds-at-spring-meadow-lake
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, messages, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB, SP’, Fort St Vrain Eagle Cam/Excel Energy, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Rosie Shields and Border Ospreys, Kisatchie National Forest Eagle Cam, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, The Guardian, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Birds of Poole Harbour, Explore.org, scyllabub, SK Hideaways, Kielder Forest
Aran returns in the middle of the night
12 April 2025
I was waiting for two males to return. Aran and Finnegan.
Aran arrives in the middle of the night.
Geemeff writes me: Here’s the video made by Scyllabub of Aran’s return in darkness at 03.41
Enjoy. I am so tearful. Just delighted to see him home.
Thank you, Geemeff ane Scyllabub.
Saturday in Bird World
12 April 2025
Good Morning Everyone,
Late Breaking News:
Glaslyn: Aran arrived home safely today! Yes. Come on Finnegan. Geemeff sent this: Aran is finally back at Glaslyn. Elen has bonded with Teifi (hatched at Dyfi) so fun and games there today. She is confused and has flapped her wings at Aran. Aran has been defending his nest – and his Mrs! All quiet now, I think Aran is chasing Teifi away. Going to be fun there. The same thing happened at the Llyn Brenig nest and seemingly that hasn’t settled yet.
Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have their second egg of the season.
John Bunker Sands Wetlands: The second eagle fledged.
Bety and Bukachek are reunited at the Mlade Buky White Stork nest! Thank you PB.
15 degrees C. Feels like summer.
It just feels like spring is here on the Canadian prairies. The Dark-eyed Juncos are enjoying the White Millet that has been scattered on the deck and on a small piece of ice near the wood box. The central heating is turned off. Our heavy winter coats are in the closet. If a blizzard hits – and they have been known to – we can easily grab them. A replacement bird bath has been ordered and we are beginning to clean up the yard where we can. Some things are still frozen to the ground!
In anticipation of the arrival of our songbirds and raptors, I will remind everyone how to keep their feeders clean so as not to spread disease:
The National Audubon Society gives these tips to help stop the spread of bird diseases such as avian flu. Clean feeders and bird baths with a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach every two weeks. Use multiple feeders to make it easier for birds to feed at a distance from each other, and remove feces and seed casings from below feeders regularly.
On the way home, the Bald Eagle that has its nest between our nature centre and the dump, flew right in front of our moving car, and grabbed an enormous bunch of dried grass and lifted off. Majestic. Thank goodness I was not driving fast. This all happened in the blink of an eye. Huge talons full of dead grasses and a flurry to get off. Scared me. I cannot imagine hitting this beautiful creature. I cannot imagine anyone doing them (or any other wildlife) harm.
It was not a surprise. So many were hopeful. Still, the 4th eaglet did not survive at Fort St Vrain. Many of you wrote to say that you are glad that the little one went quickly.
A growing number of you, along with others we may not yet know, are passionately seeking support. Last year, ‘MP’ and I faced significant frustration as we encountered endless obstacles—it felt like we were stuck in a loop. It is essential that we find a dedicated individual in the area who is willing to champion this important initiative. Having high-quality photographs is vital; many potential supporters rely on current visuals, but the images available on Google Maps are often outdated. Let’s come together to ensure we capture the attention and resources needed to move this project forward. for the Achieva Osprey Platform.
Geemeff sends the daily summary for the Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 11th April 2025Today was a bit calmer, no intruders on Nest Two, just plenty of fish deliveries from Louis giving Dorcha the luxury of refusing one or two of them. Louis brought four fish to the nest, taking his tally to twenty four, along with sticks and moss to prepare the nest ready for the arrival of the first egg. That could be as early as the 14th, just three days away – there will be many watchers looking out for that special event. Over on Nest One, the day started with an early morning visit from a Tawny Owl who only stayed for a few minutes, giving her distinctive call before flying away again. Garry LV0 brought a fish but had no takers as neither Affric 152 nor any unattached females were seen, and he took it away again. Perhaps the continuing good weather will bring some traffic to the area and give Garry the hope of finding a mate.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.31.23 (05.34.38); Nest Two 21.43.39 (05.40.16)Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/OEnaIWW4XeE N1 Tawny Owl visits 04.06.02https://youtu.be/2y8zxmxgX9M N2 Fish number one – early breakfast arrives 06.13.32
https://youtu.be/NdIgS1BEzmo N2 Louis brings fish number two and takes it away 07.00.16
https://youtu.be/Oza6XDYwP3E N2 Louis delivers fish three, Dorcha dines on the nest 11.03.16
https://youtu.be/dIQAIT_2a5o N1 No takers so Garry leaves with his fish 13.10.14
https://youtu.be/82LtHDs-JhA N2 Dorcha grabs and goes as soon as fish four arrives 18.22.47
Bonus look: Louis & Dorcha star in the Week in Wildlife (thanks Neil Macduff):
Blast from the past – this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/p_72D3H8lzc N1 Corvid not Covid! 2020
https://youtu.be/wYmwz8lUWsQ N1 The Stranger arrives with breakfast 2021
https://youtu.be/W8Bl6tCXYGsN1 Welcome home Louis 2021 (zoomed)
https://youtu.be/9p84l65VnYo N2 Louis & Dorcha reunited 2022
https://youtu.be/s_pTTmsBRdA N2 Aerial battles with Hoodies 2023 (zoomed)
https://youtu.be/N7ZGY4vmVeE N2 Successful mating and a flypast 2023
https://youtu.be/PCFbG-MfO84 N2 Dorcha scares off a Great Tit 2024
https://youtu.be/Frl2xush4Vs N2 Alien invasion of Nest Two! Or is it? 2024
‘J’ lets us know that the Trempealeau Eagles has its first hatch.
There are some concerns about the Sydney Sea Eagles and the development planned for the Sydney Olympic Park.
Can you imagine the killing of whales in US waters? Well, get ready unless you work hard to stop it! You don’t have long.
The Bird of the Week from the American Bird Conservancy.
Its life is threatened by habitat loss due to logging and mining.
Many more are threatened by our lights. Turn them off during migration as ‘PB’ has done. They send us the latest migration map.
While we are sad when we lose a little one or the adults do not return, there are many to celebrate including USS8 who is being fed by his dad, Irv, at the US Steel Nest.. https://youtu.be/IswC6bNr6Nw?
Thankful for our miracle, Bodie.
For Sunny and Gizmo at Big Bear Valley:
For only amazing miracle eaglet, Betty Lou, at Sauces Canyon:
For Iris returning to us at Hellgate Canyon:
I have a deep appreciation for European Starlings and House Sparrows. It’s disheartening to see their numbers dwindling in my garden, and the decline of the Starling population in the UK is alarming. We must take action to protect our feathered friends. When you encounter a garden company claiming to rid your space of weeds without using any toxic chemicals, challenge their assertions—it’s simply misguided. Our environment and wildlife deserve better!
Starlings fall to record low in UK’s 2025 Big Garden Birdwatchhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/11/starlings-uk-2025-big-garden-birdwatch-rspb?CMP=share_btn_url
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care of yourself. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write this short post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB’, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, JBSW, Mlade Buke White Stork News, The Audubon Society, Fort St Vrain, Achieva Credit Union, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Sydney Sea Eagle FB, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, American Bird Conservancy, USFWS Columbia Pacific, The Guardian
More Friday news in Bird World…Bodie flies…Finnegan?
11 April 2025
Good Afternoon,
Some late breaking news in Bird World as our hearts continue breaking for Jack and Jill at Achieva and our anger grows that no one, no one has done enough for Jack and his families at that platform in recent years. Forgotten. Apathy. Horrible.
Bodie has fledged! Isn’t this grand. Juvie was there to cheer his sister on! (I mean they are siblings, aren’t they?)
‘J’ sends news from Hancock about Bodie fledge: https://forum.hancockwildlife.org/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=759&sid=13bc462688fb543f10d55f40570b114f&start=1470
Another male has landed on Iris’s nest at Hellgate Canyon. Is it Finnegan? I am waiting for confirmation. The cam was focused on Iris on the pole. You can hear her soft cheeps and she flew to the nest. We did not see the male arrive. There is a red blood dot that I assume is from a fish on that chest this morning.
It doesn’t feel right if it is Finnegan. The white looks like him, but is this yet another male. Not Finnegan. Not Louis. We wait.
Foulshaw Moss: At Foulshaw Moss, we have the first egg for White YW and Blue 35 on Friday.
Rutland Manton Bay: Blue 33 and Maya have their fourth egg on Thursday.
Roli KA5 has been flying around the Glaslyn nest. Come on Aran!!!!!!!
Thank you for being with me for these latest news items. We continue to wait to see what is happening at the HellGate Canyon nest of Iris. I will be outside – it is gorgeous today – but will check often. Keep your eyes on that nest, too! Have a glorious afternoon everyone.
Thank you to ‘J’, to the Montana Osprey project for their streaming cam, to Cumbria Wildlife Trust, LRWT, and UK Osprey Info for the other information in this posting.
Friday in Bird Word
11 April 2025
Hello Everyone,
Morning Update:
Maya and Blue 33 have their fourth egg at Rutland’s Manton Bay. Geemeff writes: “Maya has laid a fourth egg at Manton Bay – it’s visible around 08.47.28”. If any couple can raise our, these two can. They have done it several times before. They are an Osprey Super couple in terms of producing chicks.
Sadness and Madness. Achieva Baby gone. For everyone that wrote to get help after the Baby and eggs went down the drain holes last year, it appears something has happened again this year. (Footage is being checked to see what happened).
Iris: Montana Osprey Cams
Sorestonpd45h3277if02mgttu5iahiit47m8u2a12cgiifchimft91123h0 ·
“Hi everyone!
Iris has been a busy lady. The Hellgate nest was completely flattened over the winter. When we went up to upgrade the camera system I was amazed and how shallow and flat the nest was.
But Iris has been busy bringing in sticks, grass and moss, and the edges of the nest are already considerably higher.
Best, Erick Greene and The Montana Osprey Team”
Come on Finnegan is right.
I thought I was losing my mind. Turns out it isn’t me! It is WordPress. Heidi first warned me two days ago that images in my blog were getting switched. WP is scrambling pictures and videos faster than I can check them for the third time, so apologies. I keep saying I am switching to another platform, but that would cause a lot of chaos for all of you – and that is something that I do not wish to do. I don’t need that chaos and neither do you. The birds are to give us some calm in our lives, albeit they often send us to the tissue box. Still, we are privileged to share their lives, and I would not have it any other way. So I might start using less images – I know that many of you see these beautiful feathered friends on the streaming cams and in FB posts. To be continued….
As of this writing, neither Finnegan nor Aran has returned to their nests. Finnegan was first spotted on Iris’s nest on April 19th, but we’re unsure if he was present earlier. Aran typically returns between March 30th and April 4th, and I am worried about him. In the meantime, Louis has visited Iris on the nest again. Please come home soon, Finnegan! And I should note that other ospreys on UK streaming cams such as LJ2 at Llyn Brenig have just returned. Come on Aran.
My post is a bit all over the place today. Please bear with me. The research is not clear, but I can tell you, from my detailed notes, that the two days leading to the full moon and four days after, can be very difficult for those suffering from Lewy Body Dementia, like my husband (and others with mental health challenges). My posts will be as confused for a few more days! The Pink Full Moon is on Saturday.
That juvenile eaglet on the John Bunker Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle tower fooled me. I was certain that one of them had fledged. It seems that it was hiding in those metal supports. JBS had their first fledge on the 9th. This has been a great nest to watch this year!
Fort St. Vrain: The 4th egg has hatched. That sweet little baby. I hope that the parents can manage the hatch difference and four beaks to fill. And I hope that this 4th hatch is a ferocious girl so she can survive!
I am hearing a lot of worry from around the world about this nest. The weather is not looking good (will include below) and ‘PB’ writes: “I don’t know how Ma is going to keep 4 babies under her. I just read the nest history and there were a few seasons when the chicks passed due to exposure to rain , snow and hail. Storms seem to come around this time of month. Hope it stays dry for them.”
‘J’ writes: “In Dutch we say „ik hou mijn hart vast“, literally I hold on to my heart. Holding his heart is a proverb often used in a difficult situation where someone is afraid that things will not end well. The proverb “holding his heart” is symbolic and refers to the fact that one is so tense that one reaches for the heart and holds it from tension. “Peter held his heart when the results of the theory exam were announced.” In this example, Peter is the one who is “holding his heart” because he is in suspense for the results of his exam. Often this proverb is used in uncertain situations, this can be from serious to minor situations. The following examples indicate this. “After the car accident, Dora had to be freed from her car and her family members held their hearts.” This is an example of a life-threatening situation, but it can also be less serious : “Chris promised to finish his essay on time, I am holding my heart.” In this case, the proverb is used as a kind of joke to indicate that Chris thus never finished his essays on time and the person actually sees the storm coming.
The older two have eaten well, the third got some bites, and the fourth pushed itself up and then the parent took the bite. If you are queasy this is not the nest to watch for awhile til we see how things shape up.
‘PB’ sent the weather that so many of you are concerned about. It was not that many years ago that the little one at PA Country Farm was left out from being under Mum and died. Many of you recalled that tragedy.
Geemeff sends us her daily summary of the activities for The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 10th April 2025
Today saw the return of the ringed male intruder Osprey to Nest Two and managed to perch for a brief moment before being chased off the nest by Louis, who escorted him away from Dorcha and down towards the loch. Frustratingly we still didn’t get a good look at his Darvic ring, perhaps he’ll return or perhaps we’ll get a positive ID from the Roy Dennis Foundation. Louis delivered four fish today, taking his season’s tally to twenty. One of those fish spent quite a bit of time being taken on and off the nest before finally being eaten, and after another delivery Louis did such energetic nest-scraping that he needed a little lie down, affording us a comical view. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 did a fair bit of nest prep too, bringing sticks and nest-scraping until Affric arrived to solicit fish. Unlike yesterday however, he didn’t oblige and she left fish-less, back to Bunarkaig to demand fish from her real mate Prince, perhaps. The wind picked up today but the forecast for tomorrow is sunny with a gentle breeze.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.26.55 (05.19.23); Nest Two 21.39.38 (05.34.33)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/j1DxPFlrGu4 N2 Louis won’t give Dorcha the first fish 06.15.18
https://youtu.be/B0LdP-qTXW4 N2 The ringed intruder returns 08.03.30
https://youtu.be/bstQ7gOgnqA N1 Affric and Garry have an encounter 08.53.04
https://youtu.be/7IDTQEDXPtE N2 Louis has a little lie down after delivering fish number two 12.33.55https://youtu.be/DpBbCdymmCY N2 Dorcha doesn’t want the third fish so Louis takes it away 15.02.23 https://youtu.be/0S3tAvALOmM N2 Dorcha grabs the fourth fish as soon as it arrives 20.32.25
Bonus watch – the importance of the UK’s temperate rainforests, like Loch Arkaig:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/habitats/temperate-rainforest/explore-britains-rainforests-film/
Blast from the past – this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/LbWEdz9F-qg N1 Aila & Louis share a love nest 2020
https://youtu.be/G-3kBllTF-8 N1 Louis’ enthusiastic fine-tuning 2020
https://youtu.be/0Qy8OO9mY30 N1 Tricky stick for the Stranger 2021
https://youtu.be/i71cxxtGq2w N1 No takers for the Stranger’s fish 2021
https://youtu.be/Z1AU-Q7nx9o N2 Three little visitors 2023
https://youtu.be/2I51i5kIVa0 N2 Together again: Louis & Dorcha are reunited 2023
https://youtu.be/LPHhs_3oFQU N1 Welcome home Affric 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/TDenxxKhpYw Fish number one, headless BT 2024
https://youtu.be/l1HpuYtiBnE Fish number two, large headless BT 2024
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Please do look at some of these wonderful videos. We now have Louis and Dorcha on Loch Arkaig nest 2 and Prince and Affric on Louis’s old nest, nest 1. For those you loved Louis and Aila, there is one with them, too. Lots of people are hoping that we might see some of those JJs at a nest or two.
Big Bear Valley: It is no wonder that Sunny and Gizmo are growing and growing. They are eating fish 8 and 9. I can think of a lot of eagle (or osprey) nests that would envy that amount of food coming to the nest. https://youtu.be/aHdBLEpS7VE?
Sauces: Betty Lou is just as fortunate. Jak and Audacity keep her crop full and bursting. They are such happy and proud parents. One of this year’s miracles, like Bodie, Sunny, and Gizmo.
NEFlorida: Bodie is still home but she is spending a lot of time up high on the branches. You best stop in to that cam because she could fly off any moment. Beau and Gabby did well even adopting another eagle that undoubtedly helped Bodie to learn more survival skills. A blessing. Bodie is 81 days old today.
Port Tobacco: Two eaglets have their beautiful wooly thermal down and their juvenile feathers are appearing. Both doing well.
US Steel: Wet day for Irvin, Stella, and baby USS8 (hatched on 27 March) who had a big crop. Fish pieces on the nest and Stella keeping that little one warm and dry.
Nest 4 Finland: Snow.
Nest 5 Finland: Osprey briefly landed on the nest on Friday.
Achieva Credit Union Ospreys: Only Bob of Jack and Jill is doing well. With the above announcement, this is so sad. My heart breaks for new Mum Jill and Jack. For those not familiar this happened last year. It was difficult to determine if a predator came or if the eggs and chick went down those big drain holes. Heidi is trying to determine what happened.
Salem Electric Ospreys, Oregon: A couple are on the nest and they have a lot of work to do. The link to their streaming cam is: https://www.youtube.com/live/a-G2qGiZdT0?
Eastern Curlew: They migrate 10,000 km and they are in trouble.
“Eastern Curlew” by 0ystercatcher is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
It is up to people to help this beautiful, long flyer.
Funding for all kinds of research and help for wildlife is in jeopardy. The Narwal comes out of British Columbia with journalists in several Canadian provinces. It is supported by readers and has won numerous awards for independent journalism.
Whether it is in Australia, Canada, the US, Europe, or the UK, wildlife needs our help now more than ever. Lawlessness means that more and more raptors are being shot. Two ospreys last week. We don’t hear about most of them. These are just the tip of the iceberg in wildlife violence and we need to find a way to end it. If individuals harm animals, then they might also easily harm people. Where did empathy and love for animals go in some people?
Calico’s Tip for the Day: Make a few tweaks in your life and get rid of some anxiety. Calico loves ‘The To Do List’. Not. It never gets finished, there is always something to do. Many people think that they are ‘useless’ or ‘less worthy’ because they cannot get on top of their ‘bloody lists’. Others miss the beauty of the day by spending all their time trying to get ‘the list’ finished. The author of a new book, reviewed by The New York Times, agrees – the list is never finished. Here are some tips to help us enjoy life a bit more and quite stressing ourselves out needlessly! ——– Think like a cat, Calico says. And don’t feel guilty if you need ‘a cat nap’ during the day.
I have put into place two changes to the blog to try and help with my anxiety: 1) I realise that I will never catch up with every nest as there are thousands of them on streaming cams and I will always miss some late news. It cannot be helped. 2) Instead of rushing to get the blog out to you before a certain time, I get up and feed Brock who is nearly always waiting, feed The Girls and the garden animals, feed us and give out pills and then while sipping my morning brew, finish up the blog.
Calico hopes that you will find some ways to alleviate some of the anxiety that comes into your life. She loves this article and hopes that it helps in some way. Let her know!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB’, Montana Osprey Project, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Fort St Vrain, The Weather Channel, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, IWS/Explore, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Saaksilvie 4, The Guardian, OpenVerse, Australian Conservation Foundation, The Narwal, Owl Moon Raptor Centre, The New York Times, US Steel, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam
Thursday in Bird World
10 April 2025
Good Morning Everyone,
Oh, I got the most ‘heart felt’ note and link from ‘EJ’ Wednesday morning. They write, “https://pethelpful.com/pet-news/kind-womans-effort-to-help-baby-great-horned-owl-touching-hearts
Dear Mary Ann,
For every nasty human who crushes falcon eggs, there is one who rescues a baby GHO.
At least, that is my hope.
Have a great day. 🐦⬛
EJ”
‘EJ’: There are MORE beautiful helping people in the world than nasties. The nasties just get the headlines. This is why we should refuse to watch the YouTube videos that make so much money for people when they are showing ‘death or killing’ images. We should support those that don’t!
My offering today is mostly going to be limited to one main event (unless Aran shows up). HAS FINNEGAN RETURNED TO THE HELLGATE NEST THAT HE SHARES WITH QUEEN IRIS OR DID WE SEE LOUIS VISIT QUICKL?
Montana Hellgate:
Dr Green posted this:
It doesn’t look like totally dark markings on that left leg but if I look closely there is some dark so is the white covering up Louis’s dark line? There was no fish delivery and the behaviour was like Louis flying over from the baseball park where Star can’t see him and then leaving quickly. We cannot see the chest. Finnegan’s chest is pure white. I hope I am not missing something here. I want it to be Finnegan so much. I have not seen Iris with a male working on the nest so it makes me think it is Louis, sadly. And it feels like it is Louis – not a mate that cares!!!!! Get home soon, Finn.
Russell Lake, Nova Scotia: Oscar has been waiting for his Ethel. He has been through snowstorms and he waited. Ethel came home today! Seriously. Tears were flowing in Dartmouth and around the province and outside it – we love Oscar and Ethel.
I want everyone who posts events on FB. Please note that we have the name of the ospreys, the date, the name of the nest, and who took the photo. If EVERY individual putting announcements in FB groups would include this information it would go a long way to creating a detailed historical record of the nest. Thank you, Connie and Don Dennis!
Alyth SS: Flora has returned! She had to oust the visiting unringed female and Harry might have wondered what Flora was thinking. So glad another couple is reunited.
Border Ospreys: Blue 500 has returned on the 9th!
Dyfi Osprey Project: Idris admires the first egg with his mate, Telyn, laid on the 9th.
Here is the video: https://youtu.be/GafS2YUdhqU?
Llyn Brenig: LJ2 is home.
Now if we really had Finnegan this would be a great opening. If we had Aran at home, it would be off the charts.
Heidi’s Osprey News.
Apologies, yesterday I posted an old photo from Brevard County and attached it to the Dewey Beach nest note.
4/9 – Carthage osprey nest: Mom laid their second egg at 10:40. Congrats to Mom and Dad.
4/9 – Havre de Grace osprey nest: Egg #3 was laid in the early morning while the cam was down. Congrats to this pair.
4/9 – Mispillion Harbor: Congratulations to Della and Warren! Della laid her second egg at 13:02.
4/9 – Moraine Preservation osprey nest: Mom laid the first egg on 4/9 at 17:50
Geemeff’s daily summary for The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 9th April 2025
Another exciting day – today saw the return of Garry Blue LV0, effectively the resident male on Nest One, in a repeat of last year when he also returned on 9th April. And as with last year, it didn’t take long before Affric Blue 152 turned up soliciting fish from him, and he duly obliged. However, she has a mate, Prince, and they’ve fledged at least two chicks over at the Bunarkaig nest since they paired up in 2021, so it would be nice if she either pairs up with Garry full time and they raise chicks on Nest One, or she leaves him alone to find his own mate and the new pair become the rightful residents of Nest One. That nest had a fair bit of traffic today as a Buzzard also visited, skipping in quickly in between Garry LV0’s frequent appearances with nesting materials. Nest Two had its own excitement when a ringed Osprey, probably male, intruded on Dorcha. She got rid of him so quickly we didn’t have an opportunity to read the blue Darvic ring, worn on the left leg indicating this is a Scottish bird. Details have been sent to the Roy Dennis Foundation in hopes of making a positive ID. Louis delivered two fish to the nest taking his tally to sixteen, and with the forecast for the nest area of sunny weather with a gentle breeze and a high of 19°C, his fishing prospects look excellent. The day ended with Dorcha returning to the nest at 22.14, still there at the time of posting (midnight) looking like she might spend the night there – not long now for the first egg! However, the Tawny Owls aren’t far away, and Dorcha aborted her first landing attempt at 22.13, with owl calls heard in the background and something on the cam post. Hopefully she’ll have a peaceful night.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.27.27 (05.24.41); Nest Two 21.42.30 (05.39.53)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/sq0iW1T36zg N1 Welcome home Garry! Arrived 09.27 58
https://youtu.be/vtcwfp-rrRI N2 Fish number one – is it a rare Arctic Charr? 09.53.36 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/c7sOtUoE2Kc N2 Ringed male intrudes on Dorcha – who is it? 12.43.48
https://youtu.be/lfaawh1jB7c N1 A Buzzard visits 13.16.02
https://youtu.be/r6g_6__zaxs N1 Affric gets a fish from Garry 14.20.34
https://youtu.be/ja3IJbDYdpY N1 Fish & chips! Affric returns chipping – intruder around? 15.36.32
https://youtu.be/RQfqK5eCWNs N2 Dorcha gets an early fish supper 17.09.59
https://youtu.be/65UDocr9mxI N2 Is it an owl causing Dorcha to abort her landing? 22.13,.56
Bonus read – Woodland Trust blog on avian pairbonding:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/02/which-birds-mate-for-life
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/urAbbtSOcC8 N1 Fishy frolics and fumbles 2020
https://youtu.be/v-D7efdAnrQ N1 The Stranger aka Young Pretender returns 2021
https://youtu.be/42CrOP5m8UE N2 Night storm 2022 (Artistic Ospreys)
https://youtu.be/6R0DNlZfH9 N1 Chaffinch visits Nest One 2023
https://youtu.be/0kFa_ghXf7k N2 Welcome home Dorcha! 2023
https://youtu.be/Ra2hSrRhtJs N2 Dorcha’s fourth visit but still no Louis 2023
https://youtu.be/0iCP59ypmps N2 Intruder Osprey does a flyby watched by Louis and Dorcha 2024 (slo-mo zoom) https://youtu.be/D02DTNcDNdM N1 Welcome home Garry! LV0 arrives on Nest One 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/0WR_9m9lGZY N2 Arkaig Ospreys: a sticky situation in quick time 2024 (Classic Ospreys: Saint-Saëns) https://youtu.be/OEK5ampEWhs N2 Garry LV0 stays for over an hour on Nest One 2024 (zoom)
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Bald Eagles:
NCTC: A reader wrote and asked about the history of this nest. Let us say that Scout has grown up – really grown into a wonderful father this year with Bella. Their triplets are thriving under their good care. It is a wonderful nest to watch.
Great Lakes: Something is going on at Great Lakes. The tiny eaglets were left alone in the cold and damp for 2 hours. Where was Mum? And why did this happen? Will they survive? We wait. https://youtu.be/W-IamS7G6a0?
Harriet was away for 24 hours. Thanks, Harry, for stepping in and brooding and feeding the eaglets. Harriet appears wounded. Remember that the females will take on other female intruders, not the males. Males defend the nest from other males. Get well soon. Send positive wishes to this family with young babies in the nest. https://youtu.be/fw4vMOlOQbM?
Other News:
‘J’ sent me a detailed note following Wednesday morning’s posting:
“An error slipped into the blog, as I wrote, DH19 is the third chick for the Majestics. (Thanks, J)
Dr Sharpe deserves his retirement, and already put it off once, so good for him. But I think I speak for all when I say I feel like crying. He is our Channel Islands Hero. He will be sorely missed.
Spend more time outside.
Funny you mention that today, because today, I was out on the balcony until about half an hour ago. Not sitting or reading, not yet. I finished the clean up, and then redid the „decorating“ of the balcony. The icky mealworms are now farthest away from where I will be sitting. Bit sad, during the cleaning I found several dead bumble bees. I will put the bee house somewhere else next year, hopefully then it won’t happen, although I am not sure why it happened at all.
I planted a few plants – fingers crossed, because I am a serial plant killer. I don’t understand plants. I even managed to kill one of them immediately… Sigh.”
Is this a book you might like? I haven’t read it yet but I will try to get a copy – it will be released in Canada on 24 June 2025. The review reminds us of what Saint Francis Assisi proposed. Assisi loved animals, particularly birds. He wanted to see that a law was passed: a “that everyone who is able should scatter grain and seed on the streets, so that … there should be plenty for the birds, especially our sister larks”. Nicolson put up a hide and observed his precious garden birds, much as we do the animals in our garden. He built a hide so as not to disturb them. What a brilliant idea. And he watched, season after season.
Here is the review of Bird School by Adam Nicolson in The Guardian:
Glad to hear that you have been outside – balconies, gardens, front stoops, whatever we have access to. I went to see my doctor today and she noticed a difference in my entire demeanour since our weather is improving and I can now walk easier. Being outside is essential to our well-being. Essential. I hope no one gets tired of hearing me say it and turns me off…one thing I have learned since before covid, but even more now that dementia has hit my partner, we have to go outside. We need also to speak up for large parks in our cities and towns, the protection of wetlands, stopping the cutting of trees. Which reminds me. The City did cut down the trees on my street with their big orange circles. When I moved here 26 years ago, there was a huge canopy that went from one side to the other. The squirrels never had to run on the road; they could cross on the branches. The birds had wonderful places for their nests. There were even dead trees for the woodpeckers. It looks more and more like a moonscape. Just means we need to plant 3 trees that will grow strong and tall for the future animals.
Thank you for ssending me your notes and sharing your outdoor adventures with me. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J’, Montana Osprey Cams/Cornell Bird Lab, Ospreys of Nova Scotia/Connie and Don Dennis, Alyth SS, Rosie Shields and Border Ospreys, NCTC Bald Eagle Cam, Great Lakes Osprey Cam, The Guardian, Dyfi Osprey Project, Carthage, Havre de Grace, Mispillion Harbour, and Moraine State Park Ospreys, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Llyn Brenig